Medieval uroscopy chart.The scope of medieval medical knowledge was limited and mostly based on beliefs rather than empiricism (hence the primacy of bleeding as a "therapeutic" maneuver). One area that was rather more "evidence-based" was the examination of urine, a procedure known as uroscopy. Which did include tasting. (It was through tasting the urine that physicians became aware of the disorder we know as diabetes.)
We still use urinalysis (through tasting is no longer part of the process). It is an important tool in the evaluation of patients with metabolic as well as kidney disorders.
Normal urine is sterile and contains little but amino acids, soluble vitamins and metabolized drugs. Urine can, in a pinch, be "re-cycled" to stave off dehydration.In the early days of antibiotics penicillin was so precious that it was re-crystallized from patients' urine. Kidneys are even edible (steak and kidney pie, anyone?).
And urination is a key process in water and salt balance.
Appreciate your urine today!
Normal urine is sterile and contains little but amino acids, soluble vitamins and metabolized drugs. Urine can, in a pinch, be "re-cycled" to stave off dehydration.In the early days of antibiotics penicillin was so precious that it was re-crystallized from patients' urine. Kidneys are even edible (steak and kidney pie, anyone?).
And urination is a key process in water and salt balance.
Appreciate your urine today!
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